Like it or not, getting regular exercise is one of the keys to living a healthy life. I have always been pretty active and for the past few years have made daily exercise part of my routine. To keep things fresh, I try to find new exercise routines to avoid burnout and boredom. I have tried every workout imaginable including yoga, spinning, ballet and pilates. Even though I like to switch things up, there are a few workouts that I consistently come back to over and over again because I love the results. The best part about these workouts is that you don't need a gym or a lot of equipment to do them. If you only have a half hour at home or are traveling, these can all easily fit into your schedule.

Tracy Anderson - Tracy Anderson is best known as a celebrity trainer sculpting the bodies of Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Lopez. Her method is grounded in activating smaller muscle groups to create a balanced and lean body similar to a dancer. Her workouts consist of a half hour of high intensity dance cardio followed by a half hour of strategic muscle movement using no more than 3 pound weights. What I love about this workout is that it is super challenging AND fun. Dancing for 30 minutes straight is hard work, but if you get a good playlist going you can actually have a lot of fun with it! Tracy has gyms located in NYC, LA and the Hamptons but has several DVD's and online live streaming so anyone can access her method. I am a huge fan of her DVD's and do this workout about 2-3 times per week. (http://tracyanderson.com)

Body By Simone (BBS) - Body By Simone was created by Simone de LaRue. Simone is a former dancer and has a method similar to Tracy's. She focuses on using light weights with high repetition. Her classes include dance cardio, trampoline and full body workouts. Simone's method focuses on all the trouble areas like hips, thighs and buns and incorporates fun exercises that don't get old. She has gyms in NYC, LA and Brentwood. Similar to Tracy, you can access her method online with a monthly membership or purchase her DVD's. I currently do BBS 1-2 days a week. (www.bodybysimone.com)

Yoga: One thing that I am guilty of is not stretching enough before or after I work out. It always seems to be a step I skip just to get out the door. I know this is not a recommended approach, so I try to get at least one yoga class in per week to force myself to recover and stretch. At first I dreaded going to my yoga class, but recently I have started to actually find enjoyment in it. It is a great way to center your mind and get connected to your body. My favorite yoga class is called power yoga where you are in constant motion. (Yogalosophy DVD)

Regardless of what type of workout you do, the important thing is finding something that you enjoy that gets your body moving! One thing that I find helps me is getting workout gear that makes me look and feel good. One of my favorite brands for working out in style is Sweaty Betty. The leggings that I am wearing today are actually reversible so it's like having two pairs of leggings in one! I can wear the tropical side if I am feeling bold or stick to the black side if I am going for a more conservative look. Either way, looking stylish really is a good motivator! To shop this look or get more information on these workouts, click the links above or below.

xx,

Colleen

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